How To Prepare Fruit and Vegetables for Horses

If you want to feed your horse produce, you can do so in moderation.If you want your horse to not choke, be sure to chop your produce into smaller pieces.Give your horse a treat by hand or in a bucket if the fruits and vegetables you buy are appropriate.

Step 1: Pick fruits and vegetables that are safe for your horse.

Fruits and vegetables that are good for your horse are melons, squashes, and root vegetables.They like stone fruits without stones.Try oranges, plums, grapes, apples, strawberries, raisins, bananas, and pear.To get vegetables, aim for things like turnips, parsnips, pumpkin, beets, lettuce, carrots, celery, sprouts, and peas.

Step 2: Vegetables could be harmful to your horse.

The onion family, nightshade family and cruciferous vegetables are included.Vegetables in the cruciferous family can cause a lot of gas, which can upset your horse's tummy.If you want to give your horse food, avoid these options.Don't produce in the nightshade family.Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes are part of the nightshade family.These vegetables are not good for horses as they can lead to illness.It's best to avoid them all together.Don't eat vegetables in the onion family, such as onions, garlic, and leeks.There is a family of vegetables that can cause problems in horses.Rhubarb can cause damage to the urinary tract, so don't feed it to your horse.

Step 3: Don't eat fruit that is rotten or moldy.

You should not give your horse anything you wouldn't eat, even if you want to get rid of old produce.Your horse will be happy and healthy if you stick to fresh produce.

Step 4: The outside of the fruit and vegetables needs to be cleaned.

Just like you would do for yourself, scrub the produce under the water.You can wash produce with a scrubbing brush for at least 30 seconds.Small, circular motions can be used.Pesticides and dirt can be found in the produce.

Step 5: Large produce can be cut into smaller pieces.

Some horses prefer to just swallow their treats.Cut produce into pieces that are the size of a grape.An apple can be cut into eighths.If your horse has dental issues, you can chop the produce into small chunks with a food processor.

Step 6: Cut out the pits and cores.

The fruit's cores can cause a problem if they are removed.Pull out pits from other produce, including cherries, plums, and peaches.The horse could choke on the fruit.

Step 7: The skins should be left on.

You can leave the skins on for most of the time.Horses can eat bananas with skins on, as long as they don't have trouble chewing and you cut it into small pieces.Cut off both ends and toss them out.They enjoy the scent of the rinds on the fruit.If you prefer, you can leave the watermelon rinds and cantaloupe skin on the horse.

Step 8: Limit your horse's intake to 1-2 pieces of produce a day.

You can give your horse apples or carrots every day.You can also do a single banana, or a few small plums.Too much sugar is bad for your horse's health.

Step 9: Feed your horse with your hand.

If you want to give your horse a treat this way, place a piece of produce in the middle of your hand.Move your hand closer to the horse as he moves toward you.Don't leave.The horse will bite down if you pull away.

Step 10: If you're worried your horse will hurt you, put the treat in a bucket.

Cut up some produce and put them in a bucket.The horse should be happy to take the treat if you place the bucket near it.If you prefer, you can use a feed trough.